Granite Countertop Cracks by the Sink: Causes, Risks, and the Smart Solution

Anyone who’s invested in a granite countertop knows the allure of its durability and timeless appeal—qualities that make it a favorite for kitchen designs. However, the heartbreak of discovering a crack in the granite, especially near the kitchen sink, can feel like a real punch to the gut. Let's explore why this issue is particularly troublesome and what it implies for homeowners.

Discovering a small crack around the sink area may seem like something you can live with. What you likely do not realize is that crack is going to grow. Let's delve into the reason why the crack likely appeared in the first place. Unfortunately, many granite fabricators, in an attempt to strengthen the narrow band of granite in front of and behind the sink, used a method that was designed for failure. They certainly didn't do this on purpose. Their method involved creating a channel on the bottom of that strip. At that point, they would insert a piece of rebar and glue it in place in an attempt to make that weak area stronger. What the fabricators didn't think of was the fact that granite is porous. The water eventually would seep into the stone and wet the rebar. The rebar would start to rust, which causes it to expand. The granite cannot expand, so the granite cracks. This process takes a long time; however, when the crack is visible, you may not have much longer before you have to replace all of your countertops. 

The Simple Solution

Fortunately, as a former kitchen designer, I had run into this situation many times and the only viable solution was to replace the countertops. When I transitioned into sink design in 1999, the very first thing I did was design a sink that would remedy this nationwide problem. I was granted a patent on my design. This design only works if the sinks are custom-made, which mine were and continue to be. I design farm sinks that can replace the typical undermount sink. The apron portion of the farm sink has a channel behind the apron that slips over the frame of the sink cabinet. No cutting is involved at all. Simply remove the false drawer head or drawer heads and slip the sink in place. The apron height is custom designed to take the place of the false drawer head(s). For the vast majority, this is a simple one-day project. What you end up with is the finest workstation kitchen sink in the world, along with the savings that go with the lack of need to replace the countertops, backsplashes, and more. You have added value to  your home, along with a time-saving sink that will afford you countless hours of saved time. Most of our customers tell us the food preparation and clean-up time savings are between 30% and 50%! What will you do with the saved time?

Don't be fooled by companies that claim they can "fill" the crack. The underlying issue will not be resolved, and the granite will likely continue to crack!